Word Origin & History

essential mid-14c., "that is such by its essence," from L.L. essentialis, from essentia (see essence). Meaning "pertaining to essence" is from late 14c., that of "constituting the essence of something" is from 1540s; that of "necessary" is from 1520s. Essentials "indispensible elements" is from early 16c. Related: Essentially; essentialism (1939); essentialist..

Example Sentences for essential

Comparison was considered an essential property of a perfect device.

They are contagious, not as cholera is contagious, but contact with others is essential to them.

The machine must be immensely strong, and yet it is essential that it should be light.

A man and a woman are essential to the execution of the panel game.

But, functionally, the essential thing about this value is its dynamic character.

But he hesitated to affirm any essential inferiority in the negro race.

This religiosity, of Christian form, was essential to George Sand.

Other things are essential if we are to live comfortably and honorably.

Even of that portion of it we have been able here to give only an outline of the essential facts.

The essential unity of the Kingdom was secured, as we have seen above.